FAMILY and friends of a Prestwich grandfather are taking on a massive exercise challenge to raise money for Bury Hospice.

July will mark five years since 62-year-old Bryden Smith, of Scholes Walk, died at the hospice after a two-year battle with oesophageal cancer.

Seven people will now tackle a five-month challenge in his memory to support the charity.

Between them, they will run 5,000km, cycle 5,000km and swim 5,000 lengths, mainly at Total Fitness in Whitefield.

The challenge starts on Sunday (February 26) and finishes on the anniversary of Mr Smith’s death, July 26.

His daughter, Sam, aged 41, of Prestwich, said: “Because it’s the fifth anniversary, we didn’t want it to be all doom and gloom. We wanted to do something positive and raise money for the hospice to say we have celebrated him.

“We don’t have a fundraising target, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed that people will be generous.”

Taking part in the challenge with Sam are her sisters, Alison Smith and Claire Smith, 13-year-old daughter Natasha, partner Lisa Peacock, and friends Melissa Toms and Heather Crowther.

Supporting and cheering them on will be Mr Smith’s widow, Sandra Smith.

Sam said: “We are really excited and looking forward to it. This will be a big challenge for us. We wanted it to be difficult so that it would be significant when we finished.

“It will take up a lot of our time. I have resigned myself to the fact that I will be living in the gym for the next five months.”

To sponsor the group: visit www.justgiving.com/5000challenge.